Definition and Applications of Electric Switchboards
– A switchboard is a large panel or assembly of panels used to distribute electric power.
– They are used in various industries and buildings, including commercial, telecommunication, and healthcare facilities.
– Switchboards are also found on large ships and in data centers.
– They play a crucial role in dividing and distributing power to transformers, panelboards, and control equipment.
– Switchboards are used in industry, commercial buildings, telecommunication facilities, oil and gas plants, data centers, and healthcare facilities.
Components of Electric Switchboards
– Switchboards contain busbars, which are flat strips of copper or aluminum that carry large currents.
– Busbars are supported by insulators and can have an insulating cover.
– Modern switchboards have metal-enclosed circuit breakers, switches, and fuses for operator protection.
– They may also include instruments and controls for power supply and monitoring.
– Switchboards designed for specific applications, like generator banks, have additional features for control and measurement.
Safety and Regulations for Electric Switchboards
– Switchboards must comply with safety regulations, such as the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC).
– The NEC defines a switchboard as a panel or assembly of panels with switches, protective devices, buses, and instruments.
– Safety measures include metal-enclosed circuit breakers, switches, and fuses to protect operators from electrical injury.
– Insulating covers can be used to protect busbars.
– Occupational safety organizations, like OSHA, provide guidelines for switchboard safety.
Related Concepts and Resources for Electric Switchboards
– Electrical enclosures provide protection for electrical components and are related to switchboards.
– Deadfront Distribution Switchboards are a specific type of switchboard mentioned in a technical report by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
– Further references and resources on switchboards can be found in books, newspapers, scholarly articles, and JSTOR.
– Understanding electrical standards and regulations is crucial for designing and installing switchboards.
Importance and Function of Electric Switchboards
– Switchboards are an integral part of electrical systems and play a vital role in distributing power efficiently and safely.
– They provide switching, current protection, and metering for different circuits.
– On large ships, switchboards are used to distribute power for various onboard systems. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_switchboard
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2022) |
An electric switchboard is a piece of equipment that distributes electric power from one or more sources of supply to several smaller load circuits. It is an assembly of one or more panels, each of which contains switching devices for the protection and control of circuits fed from the switchboard. Several manufacturers make switchboards used in industry, commercial buildings, telecommunication facilities, oil and gas plants, data centers, health care, and other buildings, and onboard large ships. A switchboard is divided into different interconnected sections, generally consisting of a main section and a distribution section. These two sections are sometimes replaced by a combination section, which is a section that can fulfill the roles of both of the aforementioned sections. Switchboards can also sometimes come with an auxiliary section that is used to house devices that cannot be housed in the same section as other devices.[citation needed]
